Barely six months after Senator Ekong Sampson disbursed 100million naira to over 500 students and some teachers in Akwa Ibom South, yesterday, the lawmaker gave out 10million naira, as another of his personal support to Nigerian Law School students of Akwa Ibom South extraction.
The colourful presentation ceremony, held at the William Shakespeare Hall, Watbridge Hotels, Uyo, was graced by top judges, practicing lawyers, members of the academia and students. In attendance were the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot, who was represented by Chief Magistrate Chinonye Akpanika, Justice Bassey Nkanang and Justice Bennett Ilaumo.
Other eminent guests present included the Vice Chancellor, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, represented by Mr. Tommy Enodien, Dean of Media and Communications, University of Uyo, Prof. Peter Esuh, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch, Barr. Ime Umoaffiah, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, Dr. Udeme Nana, founder of Uyo Book Club, among others.
Senator Sampson has never hidden his love for education. As a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly then, Sampson established Excellence College, Mkpat Enin, and ran it tuition-free for a number of years before handing it over to the government. The college is now one of the standout community schools in the State. He currently sits as patron of Uyo Book Club, and has continued to demonstrate great commitment to education initiatives, over the years.
Recall that early in his first term, Senator Sampson empowered over 1000 of his constituents with education and business support grants. Some of the beneficiaries went home with amounts up to N250,000 thousand naira. Senator Sampson has also organized a series of training programmes for constituents, to boost capacity.
So far, the Lawmaker has committed over N250million naira into education grants and learning programmes for constituents. This is aside from the quality vehicles he has provided to some of his constituents, while various other support items, including minibuses and motorcycles are awaiting distribution.
Sampson has also given attention to the development of education infrastructure in Akwa Ibom South. He has constructed Computer-based Test Centres at St Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket, Excellence College, Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin, St Vincent Secondary School, Oti-oro, among other strategic interventions including sports facilities, hostels, staff quarters, laboratory, and other amenities, in various schools across the district.
Senator Sampson has also constructed a school block at the Federal University of Technology (FUTIA), Ikot Abasi, as well as sponsorship of a bill to provide legal framework for establishment of the institution.
A fortnight ago, Senator Sampson, who Chairs the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, commissioned and handed over Doctors’ Call Rooms, which he constructed at Immanuel Hospital, Eket. He has also completed a similar facility at the General Hospital, Ikot Abasi, while other medical facilities are underway at the General Hospital, Iquita, Oron, and Cottage Hospital, Ibeno, courtesy of him.
Speaking during the presentation of the Law School grants yesterday, Sampson, himself, a lawyer, flanked by his wife, Matina, said the intervention was designed to ease the financial burden of legal education, and to support the young scholars from the Senatorial District pursuing the legal profession.
Senator Sampson disclosed that he has facilitated federal government employment for close to 60 constituents since assumption of office as Senator, donated tricycles, motorcycles and several other forms of support to constituents, to boost human capacity development. The Lawmaker noted that he has worked tirelessly to balance his legislative expectations, through critical bills, motions and oversight, with commensurate constituency outreach.
The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin used the occasion to announce the donation of a N200million naira project support to boost infrastructure at the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU). Sampson also ceased the opportunity to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the intervention has helped many Nigerian students to successfully pursue and finish their academic programmes.
Sampson equally expressed appreciation to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for working in collaboration for the development of Akwa Ibom State, as well as, stakeholders, for their support. He encouraged the Law students to pursue excellence in their academics, while advocating for the appointment of qualified judges from the Bar and Academia, to enrich the nation’s superior Benches and deepen jurisprudence.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, James Ufot, from the Nigerian Law School, Kano Campus, poured encomiums on Senator Ekong Sampson for his thoughtful goodwill and benevolence to the Law students, and for his sustained support for students in Akwa Ibom South and the State, at large. He assured that the beneficiaries will make judicious use of the gesture to advance their academic pursuit.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of AKSU, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan expressed profound gratitude to Senator Sampson for his generous N200million intervention to the university, describing it as a significant contribution to the infrastructural development of the institution. The AKSU VC pledged robust collaboration with Senator Sampson’s office for appropriate implementation.
Delivering her goodwill message, the State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, represented by Chief Magistrate Chinonye Akpanika, commended Senator Sampson for his support and commitment to education. She noted that the lawmaker’s gesture demonstrated his long-standing benevolence towards students and young professionals, charging the beneficiaries to repay the Senator’s effort through hardwork and academic brilliance.
Other speakers, including Justice Joy Unwana, Prof. Peter Esuh, Dean of Media and Communications, University of Uyo, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo Branch, Barr. Ime Umoaffiah, the founder of Uyo Book Club, Dr. Udeme Nana and Comrade Usen Johnson, a Law student from the University of Uyo, among others, lauded Senator Ekong Sampson for his continuous prioritization of education. They commended him for his focused representation, lofty programmes, and policy-driven advocacies.
